2008 2008 ROAP Conference ROAP Conference on Officiating Horse Raci on Officiating Horse Raci
2008 2008 ROAP Conference ROAP Conference
on Officiating Horse Racingon Officiating Horse Racing
Mission of RMTCMission of RMTC
Formed in 2002 as a 501 (c) (3) Formed in 2002 as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organizationcharitable organization
To develop, promote and coordinate, at To develop, promote and coordinate, at the national level, policies, research and the national level, policies, research and educational programs that seek to:educational programs that seek to:
– ensure fairness and integrity of racingensure fairness and integrity of racing– ensure the health and safety of ensure the health and safety of
racehorses and participants racehorses and participants – protect the interests of the racing protect the interests of the racing
publicpublic
Participation Organizations Participation Organizations on the Board of Directorson the Board of Directors
AAEPAAEP AQHAAQHA Arabian Jockey ClubArabian Jockey Club Breeders’ CupBreeders’ Cup California TB TrainersCalifornia TB Trainers Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Del Mar Del Mar Hambletonian SocietyHambletonian Society Harness Tracks of Harness Tracks of
America America Jockeys’ GuildJockeys’ Guild KeenelandKeeneland Kentucky TB Kentucky TB
AssociationAssociation
Magna Magna EntertainmentEntertainment
National HBPA National HBPA NTRANTRA NYRANYRA Oak TreeOak Tree RCIRCI THATHA The Jockey ClubThe Jockey Club TOBATOBA TB Owners of TB Owners of
CaliforniaCalifornia TRATRA TRPBTRPB USTAUSTA
FundingFunding
Nearly $3.7 million from industry Nearly $3.7 million from industry organizations and individuals from 2003-organizations and individuals from 2003-20082008
2008 Contributions = $895,0002008 Contributions = $895,000
Cash on Hand = $1,200,000Cash on Hand = $1,200,000
2009 Projected Funding:2009 Projected Funding:
– $1 per start from horsemen and tracks$1 per start from horsemen and tracks– $700,000 from industry organizations$700,000 from industry organizations– $500,000 research and testing grants from$500,000 research and testing grants from
Jockey Club and outside funding sourcesJockey Club and outside funding sources– Tax-deductible donations from individualsTax-deductible donations from individuals
Research Research
Performance enhancersPerformance enhancers
Environmental contaminants Environmental contaminants
Threshold levels and withdrawal times for Threshold levels and withdrawal times for therapeutic medicationstherapeutic medications
Anabolic steroidsAnabolic steroids
Cortico-steroidsCortico-steroids
““Unknown” acquisition and analysisUnknown” acquisition and analysis
Model Medication Model Medication Policies Policies & Drug Rules& Drug RulesAdoption of Model Rules for uniform Adoption of Model Rules for uniform
policy on therapeutic medications in policy on therapeutic medications in 32 of 38 states32 of 38 states
– Veterinary practicesVeterinary practices
– Prohibited drugs Prohibited drugs
– Prohibited practicesProhibited practices
– Lasix – the only permitted race day Lasix – the only permitted race day medicationmedication
Language adopted
Language in the process of being adopted
Process require significant legislative action
Process has not been started
No horse racing or harness racing commission
Model Rules Phase 1
Penalty GuidelinesPenalty Guidelines Approval of Model Rules for more severe Approval of Model Rules for more severe
uniform penalties for the use of uniform penalties for the use of prohibited drugs and practices by RCI prohibited drugs and practices by RCI board of directorsboard of directors
Class A Class A – Illegal, not approved, significant – Illegal, not approved, significant performance enhancementperformance enhancement Lifetime: Lifetime:
11stst Offense – Offense – MinimumMinimum 1 year & $ 1 year & $ 10,000 10,000
Maximum Maximum 3 year & $ 25,0003 year & $ 25,000 33rdrd Offense – Minimum Offense – Minimum 5 year & $ 5 year & $
50,000 50,000 Maximum Maximum 10 10 year & $ 100,000year & $ 100,000
Veterinarians, owners, other culpable Veterinarians, owners, other culpable licensees and horses can be suspended.licensees and horses can be suspended.
Mitigating Mitigating CircumstancesCircumstances The past record of the trainer, The past record of the trainer,
veterinarian and owner in drug cases;veterinarian and owner in drug cases; The potential of the drug(s) to The potential of the drug(s) to
influence a horse’s racing influence a horse’s racing performance;performance;
The legal availability of the drug;The legal availability of the drug; Whether there is reason to believe Whether there is reason to believe
the responsible party knew of the the responsible party knew of the administration of the drug or administration of the drug or intentionally administered the drug ;intentionally administered the drug ;
The steps taken by the trainer to The steps taken by the trainer to safeguard the horse;safeguard the horse;
Mitigating Mitigating CircumstancesCircumstances The probability of environmental The probability of environmental
contamination or inadvertent exposure contamination or inadvertent exposure due to human drug use;due to human drug use;
The purse of the race;The purse of the race; Whether the drug found was one for Whether the drug found was one for
which the horse was receiving a which the horse was receiving a treatment as determined by the treatment as determined by the Medication Report Form;Medication Report Form;
Whether there was any suspicious Whether there was any suspicious betting pattern in the race, and;betting pattern in the race, and;
Whether the licensed trainer was acting Whether the licensed trainer was acting under the advice of a licensed under the advice of a licensed veterinarian. veterinarian.
Anabolic SteroidsAnabolic Steroids Secured RCI adoption of uniform Model Rules Secured RCI adoption of uniform Model Rules
to regulate the use of anabolic steroidsto regulate the use of anabolic steroids
– Adopted by 20 statesAdopted by 20 states– At least 13 other states have started the At least 13 other states have started the
adoption processadoption process– These states represent over 96% of the These states represent over 96% of the
total Thoroughbred pari-mutuel racing total Thoroughbred pari-mutuel racing handlehandle
– RMTC and RCI have encouraged every state RMTC and RCI have encouraged every state to complete the adoption process by to complete the adoption process by December 31, 2008 or before racing begins December 31, 2008 or before racing begins in 2009in 2009
Anabolic Steroid Anabolic Steroid Model RuleModel RuleLanguage adopted
Language in the process of being adopted
Process pending administration studies
Process has not been started
No horse racing or harness racing commission
Other Other AccomplishmentsAccomplishments Developed a model rule on out-of-Developed a model rule on out-of-
competition drug testing approved competition drug testing approved by RCI board of directorsby RCI board of directors
Established a recommended policy Established a recommended policy to eliminate “Milk Shaking” to eliminate “Milk Shaking”
Compiled withdrawal times for Compiled withdrawal times for therapeutic medications in 18 therapeutic medications in 18 statesstates
Withdrawal Times Withdrawal Times DatabaseDatabase www.rmtcnet.comwww.rmtcnet.com
2009-2010 Goals2009-2010 Goals
Drug Testing Initiative:Drug Testing Initiative:– WADA style uniform testing protocols & best WADA style uniform testing protocols & best
practicespractices– Proficiency, blind & double-blind sample quality Proficiency, blind & double-blind sample quality
assurance program assurance program – International laboratory accreditation International laboratory accreditation
standards (ISO-17025)standards (ISO-17025)– National system of research and reference National system of research and reference
laboratorieslaboratories– Frozen sample retroactive testing programFrozen sample retroactive testing program– Refined selection of horses for sample Refined selection of horses for sample
collectioncollection– Recruitment program for grad student & post Recruitment program for grad student & post
doctoral internships & research positions at doctoral internships & research positions at U.S. racing labsU.S. racing labs
2009-2010 Goals2009-2010 Goals
Research and develop best practices, Research and develop best practices, proper procedures and model rules to proper procedures and model rules to regulate cortico-steroidsregulate cortico-steroids
Encourage state legislatures to provide Encourage state legislatures to provide more funding for drug testing and racing more funding for drug testing and racing commission investigative staffcommission investigative staff
Work in close cooperation with Dr. Don Work in close cooperation with Dr. Don Catlin’s Anti-Doping Research laboratoryCatlin’s Anti-Doping Research laboratory
Provide effective and timely Provide effective and timely communications of RMTC programs, communications of RMTC programs, research and initiatives to racing industry research and initiatives to racing industry organizations, media and racing fansorganizations, media and racing fans